Obama thinks fake high gas prices promotes green economy

Many are blaming Obama, and he hasn’t shied away from the blame. By having high gas prices the Obama administration think they can get the American public to buy into electric vehicles and alternative fuel sources.

From Politico:

DOE is working to promote alternatives such as biofuels and electric vehicles, Chu told House appropriators during a hearing on DOE’s budget.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0212/73408.html#ixzz1o6bguLrH

The problem is that Obama is faking the high gas prices. They don’t have to be this high, and he doesn’t have to get the American public to buy into the “green” economy and “energy independence”. As the commander-in-chief, Obama can make the Department of Defense (DoD) focus on getting the military on alternative energy sources. As the largest oil consumer in the world, the DoD is the perfect player for funding the development of alternative fuels and renewable energy sources.

Below I will review four factors that influence high gas prices:

Military usage of oil

Obama could mandate the DoD to consolidate it’s budget to completely focus on how to get it off oil using alternative fuels and renewable energy technology. If Obama were serious about getting America into a green economy, this is where he should start.

Monetary policy leading to devaluation of dollar

By allowing the Federal Reserve to go unchecked with creating more debt-backed dollars, Obama and the congress are responsible for the devaluation of the currency. This is one of the biggest contributors to the increase in gas prices. Oil isn’t getting worth more, it’s just that the dollar is worth less. If congress took back the power of money generation, and changed from a debt-backed currency to Kilowatt hour backed currency, the dollar would regain strength, and we would purge the world of the parasitic private banks.

Wall street fraud going unpunished

Speculation of oil prices based on rumors of war and the growing demand from emerging markets. Our domestic oil production is the highest it’s been in 8 years (yes, that means Bush made less US oil than Obama). If you wants to point fingers, look no further than Goldman Sachs. Congress bares the responsibility of Wall Street Fraud. Darrell Issa and Michele Bachmann are working for the oil speculators by slowing down the rule enforcement of Dodd-Frank which is supposed to punish oil speculation. Obama should call them out specifically, and let the American people know that Darrell Issa and Michele Bachmann don’t represent the people, but they represent Goldman Sachs. Unfortunately, Obama also represents Goldman Sachs.

Demand from emerging markets

Emerging markets demand has doubled world oil consumption in five years. To meet rising demand from emerging markets, Petrobas plans to increase production to 3 million barrels a day by 2015.

Read more at http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/Latest-News-Wires/2011/1204/Emerging-markets-will-boost-oil-demand-Petrobas

Emerging markets include countries that account for a majority of the Earth’s human population. If they demand oil at the same rate per capita as the US, nobody will be able to afford it.

The Bottom Line

You can see with these four issues Obama could influence the high gas prices by doing the following:

• Getting the military off oil for energy
• Lead the idea of getting off of debt-backed currency that devalues over time
• Punish oil speculators that increase the cost of oil at the expense of society
• Join with the emerging markets to develop renewable sources of energy in order to allow the United States to ween itself painlessly.

The American people can have cheap gas while the green energy economy is inclubated by the DoD and DoE until it’s ready for civilian consumption.

Videos about high gas prices:

• The explanation of high gas prices by The Young Turks
• $5 per gallon

Green Collar Savior?

I’ve been hearing a lot about how green jobs will save our economy.  I am hopeful about this country’s ability to bounce back. I was recently at a business conference that gave me a sense of the level of optimism that entrepreneurs have today. Many are worried and have real concerns with the drop in financing for small business loans. Also, many are optimistic that this is the time to become a better business through efficiency, productivity, and agility.

Some companies are looking at how to differentiate and compete in this tough economy. The trend has been toward sustainable practices. Customers are asking for green products and services. If your company can’t deliver, it won’t get paid.

Here is some news posted on Gangbox’s blog about green jobs in LA.

http://gangbox.wordpress.com/2009/02/19/more-on-measure-b-los-angeles-union-labor-solar-energy-bill/

Measure B would reduce LADWP’s reliance on fossil fuels for electricity. Corcoran said that at present, at least three-quarters of the power that LADWP generates comes from fossil fuels. Nearly half of that comes from burning coals, the greatest contributor to climate change, air pollution and mercury pollution. Currently, the city of LA has solar panels capable of generating 13 megawatts. The entire state produces only 178 megawatts.

Business leaders must see the potential in leading the charge into the green opportunity. It is time to remake our county and our world to be healthy and sustainable. Businesses that do not work toward sustainability will not sustain their business.

Support the Troops on Memorial Day >> STAY HOME!

This Memorial Day support the troops by staying home. That’s right. Don’t travel. Don’t use gasoline. Every time you fill up at the pump, you are supporting the worldwide Jihad against the West. So if you plan on being honest with your yellow ribbon magnet on your H2, don’t take it out of the driveway this weekend.

US News and World Report:

The evidence was indisputable: Saudi Arabia. America’s longtime ally and the world’s largest oil producer had somehow become, as a senior Treasury Department official put it, “the epicenter” of terrorist financing.

Institute for the Analysis of Global Security:

Much has been reported about the complex system of terrorist financing and the money trail facilitating the September 11 terror attacks. Individuals and charities from the Persian Gulf–mainly from Saudi Arabia–appear to be the most important source of funding for terrorist organizations like Al-Qaeda.

… Saudis have a religious tax, the zakat, requiring all Muslims to give at least 2.5 percent of their income to charities. Many of the charities are truly dedicated to good causes, but others merely serve as money laundering and terrorist financing apparatuses. While many Saudis contribute to those charities in good faith believing their money goes toward good causes, others know full well the terrorist purposes to which their money will be funneled.

… Reducing demand for Middle East oil would force the petroleum-rich regimes to invest their funds domestically, seek ways to diversify their economies and rethink their support for America’s enemies. Only then financial support for terrorism could radically diminish.

So remember, Support the Troops by supporting Energy Independence!

Now don’t be all sour and glum. Cheer up! You can do something about it. Use less gas. Ride a bike. Buy a hybrid. Take the train, or bus. Carpool, and pressure your representatives to support Energy Independence initiatives. This is not a right/left issue. This is a national security, economy growth, and environmental sustainability issue. Be part of the solution. Don’t help the terrorists.

Further reading:

• Democratic Strategy for Energy Independence
• Support Solar and Fuel Cell Tax Credits
• Guiliani on Energy Independence
• Tom’s Common Sense on Transportation Energy Independence

John Edwards thinks like me . . .

According the John Edwards policy on the environment I found a snippet that sounded just like what I have been proposing from the beginning. Check it out: SOURCE

• Open the Electricity Grids to Distributed and Renewable Generation: Traditionally, electricity has been produced at large, central power plants and transmitted through miles of power lines. Distributed generation of electricity promises reliable, clean, cost-effective production that is less vulnerable to natural disasters and attacks. Farms, factories, schools, and communities ought to be able to establish their own power sources and compete with traditional plants to sell wholesale capacity, as New England has pioneered. [DOE, 2000; New England ISO, 2006]To open up the grid to innovation, Edwards will:

• Create Millions of Local Sources of Renewable Energy: Edwards will provide up to a $5,000 tax credit for homes and small businesses that invest in onsite generation of renewable energy like solar, wind, and geothermal power. He will also encourage local generation of renewable energy through “net metering,” which allows families to sell extra power back to utilities for credits against their electricity bills.
• Encourage Distributed Generation: Edwards will cut the red tape that hinders new energy producers from selling their power to the grid. He will require utilities to consider distributed generation as a means of lowering costs compared to new investments in centralized production and transmission.
• Research the Next Generation of Small Scale Renewable Energy: Edwards will invest in researching more profitable sources of renewable energy generation. For example, biomass engines producing both heat and power that can be three times more efficient than traditional distribution. [Hill, 2001]

It seems that John Edwards has been keeping up with the WorldChanging crowd. Green means money and sustainability. GO GREEN!

My [optimistic] predictions for 2007

Welcome 2007. I look forward to a new year with new possibilities. I know many people are pessimistic, and I don’t blame them. There are many horrible situations that will continue in 2007, but there are also many opportunities for improvement.

Two days ago I had a conversation with a neighbor about my blog and energy independence. I explained that my vision is long term, and that I see that energy independence will be necessary for a peaceful future. I told him after the oil wars, there will be the water wars due to the scarcity of fresh water. Both resource wars will be solved through technology, business support, and grassroots efforts to affect change. The grassroots efforts will hopefully be supported by the new leadership in congress and the senate.

The business interests will not be lead by the current industry leaders. They will be playing catchup with the small innovators. I also see the big tech companies diversifying through investment in emergy alternative energy companies and leading the way in social and environmental responsibility.

I also see that 2007 will be a desparate fight for the presidential election in 2008. The Democrats will be fighting hard for recognition. People such as Barak Obama, Hillary Clinton and John Edwards will be trying to one-up each other. John Edwards has a head start on the issues that most Americans are passionate about. The other candidates will start to sound stale compared to John when they bring up the same issues.

The issues I am concerned about in 2007 are energy policy, the war in Iraq [and how we will get out], healthcare, education, and taxes.

On the issue of taxes, I heard a great idea in Ode Magazine proposing the idea of taxing resources instead of income. It would reward companies that provide more service, and use less resources. The working people would pay taxes based on the resources used passed on by the companies. This model is a great idea for all countries to adopt. It help those counties that are rich in resources to charge foreign companies tax on the resources they take, but pay no tax on the labor. Also by getting rid of income tax, healthcare would be more affordable by the companies. This would help the US from getting a complete social healcare system in place.

Another prediction for 2007 is that we will be hearing more about the growth of the Chinese economy and their power growth. As the Chinese ramp up for the 2008 Olympics they will provide more information on all the improvement they are making through heavy investment in infrastructure development.

That’s it for my predictions. On a lighter note, I’ve just ate a lot of Japanese food, drank some sake, and will be going out for a walk with my wife to help digest my food. My last day to relax until my next vacation in May.

Also, my first dream of 2007 involved me running around an office complex just like a baboon. Running on my knuckles and toes. It was fun! It was quite vivid as I could feel the strain of my muscles as I gripped the floor with all four limbs and propelled myself leaping three yards at a time, changing direction with each leap.

Follow the Money – Alternative Energy is Booming

Investors have been funding alternative energy quietly, but the noise is starting to get louder.

After searching “Alternative Energy Financing” on “The Google” I found the following excerpt here:

A Perfect Storm

Regarding the recent spike in venture, private and public capital markets and the associated run up in valuations, New Energy Finance’s Liebreich said, “There have been some very strong exits in the past 18 months. Valuations have come off their peaks since earlier this year, and I think the fundamentals of the industry are now strong. They were looking overly ambitious in the solar PV, U.S. biofuels and pre-revenue fuel cell areas.”

“The most important industries in the near term are: on-shore wind, biomass, energy efficiency and traditional biofuels; in the medium-term (3-10 years): cellulosic ethanol, offshore wind, thermal solar and hybrid vehicles; in the long-term (>10 years): plug-in hybrids, more wind, building-integrated solar PV, fuel-cell-based distributed CHP and carbon capture and sequestration. In the very long term, fourth generation solar PV, artificial photosynthesis, algal and bacterial biosynthesis, micro-distributed power devices.”

“Before starting New Energy Finance I identified a confluence of 7 factors which told me that we are the brink of a secular change: climate change; energy security; oil depletion; aging infrastructure in developed countries; energy bottlenecks in developing countries; new energy technologies; new information technologies. There has never been such a perfect storm for clean energy before – in fact there has probably never been such a perfect storm in any peace-time industry ever,” he added.

You can see that the money is flowing to where the investors believe their money will grow. I’m sure some will win and some will lose, but the winners will win HUGE. I just hope they finance decentralized energy production that benefits the people from where the resources are being used.